Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-14
THAT CLIP TEA
Which the SomervlIle Poisoner Pre-
 pared for Her Son.

pared for Her Son.
 BosToN, Dec. 13.-There was a large 1 crowd in attendance at the second day of the trial of Mrs. Sarah J. Robinson for poison ing her son. James E. Shepherd of Law renee, an officer of the Supreme colony of United Order of the Pilgrim Fathers, testt- fled that Willie J. Robinson was insured for $2, 900 in the order, the policy being for the benefit of Mrs. Sarah J. Robinson. Albert H. Sawyer, boarder in the house of Mrs. Robinson in Somersille in August, 1886, testified to Willie's sickness at the dinner table August after drinking some tea which his mother had poured out for him. The sickness had the symptoms of poisoning and a few days later the boy died. Jessie Mc- Donald, the servant girl employed by Mrs. testified that she was engaged by Dr. Beers from an intelligence offce) testified that she made the tea which caused Willie's sickness in the usual manner, and in 8 teapot which had been in use several weeks. Charles F. Chand- Ter of SomerviIle, who boarded at Mrs. Rob- inson's in the spring of 1886, testified that he had heard Mrs. Robinson repeatedly urge her son to join the United Order of Pilgrim Fathers, and witness was present when Wila lie yielded and joined. Witness saw Willie the Sunday before he died and asked him what was the matter with him. Willie replied: Nothing" Witness then asked, lie "H repliedi lH "rhey y Ront soT oP Eet me" ma Thomas R. Smith, who was originally held as an accomplice, testified that he had known Mrs. Robinson five or six years. She had consulted him in regard to getting the insur- ance on her husbands life. He had visited her four times, two of which visits were paid during Lizzie's sickness.
 At the afternoon session Thomas R. Smith continued his testimony at considerable length. After Lizzie Robinson's death he settled bills and did considerable business for Mrs. Robinson. When Willie was taken sick Mrs. Robinson told witness she was afraid she would lose Willie and before that she had expressed the fear that Willie would be taken next. Witness was frequent visi tor at the house during the boys sickness and on the third day of his illness noticed a singular change in Mrs. Robinson's manner toward the boy. He heard Mrs. Robinson say to Willie: "What, sir, and in reply to some- thing he said, 'FYes, sir. You shall have it. The words attracted witness attention, being so different from that ordinarily used, and on stepping into the room he found Mrs. Robinson with her hands clinched by her sides and her tone was determined and threatening. Willie grew worse and the phy- sician took some of the vomit in which he claimed to have discovered some traces of arsenic. Witness was arrested soon after. He never himself administered arsenic nor did he know of anyone doing so.
 James Calvin, governor of the Colony of Pilgrim Fathers in which Willie was insured, testified to calling upon Mrs. Robinson, whose sorrow over her sons death appeared genuine. Dr. White. who attended the boy during his sickness, testified as to the strong symptoms of arsenical poisoning developed. Several unimportant witnesses were heard briefly and the trial adjourned until to morrow.